Philosophy: Anyone has a digital copy of Aindra Prabhu’s book?

and …
The service of the spiritual master is essential.
If there is no chance to serve the spiritual master directly,
a devotee should serve him by remembering his instructions.

Dear Ramesvara Prabhu, PAMHO. AGTSP!

Welcome to Prabhupada News.

You were the one, acting as co-GBC representative for ISKCON Detroit, who approved of my being the “headmaster” of the “gurukula” (school) that my wife and I started there in 1982. It set a bold new precedent: ISKCON’s first day school! A precedent which undoubtedly saved a lot of helpless children from being sexually molested (in ISKCON’s notorious boarding schools).

Two years later, you also approved of me transferring my headmaster’s duties over to someone who was much more qualified than I: my wife. This fateful decision on your part turned out to have far-reaching positive effects on the education of Lord Sri Krishna’s precious children.

Therefore, you became an important part of ISKCON history for those reasons alone, and I will be forever grateful. I am also grateful to you for your unwavering support of our fledgeling school over the succeeding years, despite the, at times, fierce opposition from other gurukula headmasters!

As an ex-GBC man, ex-ISKCON guru, and ex-BBT manager, your praise/encouragement of ISKCON’s book distributors holds a lot of weight, but if you want to support them in the best possible way, then, in my humble opinion, you should help ISKCON to stop living a lie, and finally admit that Hansadutta Prabhu is correct when he admits, in his September 16, 1998 letter that Srila Prabhupada clearly prescribed “ritvik henceforward” (paraphrased) in his July 9, 1977 management directive to all GBC men/temple presidents.

You were bold in helping ISKCON’s 2nd generation in Detroit in 1982/84. How about again being bold and helping ISKCON’s 3rd generation now, by helping ISKCON to stop living a lie?

Your servant, Pratyatosa Dasa

Thanks Ramesvara pr for reminding that simply “going out distributing Prabhupada’s books will solve all the problems – no extra endeavor required”.

The first thing I would want to do after reading the introduction of Prabhupada’s book – ISKCON is “genuine”, “authorised”, “transcendental”, and a “great society” – is to seek out this “great society” ISKCON, promoted as it is by Srila Prabhupada himself, which is easy to do even if there are no contact details for ISKCON in the book.

Having then come into contact with ISKCON, which has been completely endorsed by Srila Prabhupada, I will surrender my life fully. Only in doing so I will get cheated by bogus gurus, have my life ruined, and tragically BLAME SRILA PRABHUPADA for this, because HE is the one who directed us to ISKCON by telling us in his books that ISKCON is completely bona fide, and consequently we will give up Krishna consciousness altogether – which sadly has been the fate of thousands.

And this is just the second paragraph of the Bhagavad-gita Preface. The more they read, and the more books we distribute, the more the above scenario will be repeated.

Now it will be argued that some people will not contact ISKCON. Yes, but this will be despite the books, not because of them. Srila Prabhupada promotes ISKCON throughout his books – that was part of the purpose of the books, and indeed it says “Founder-Acarya of ISKCON” just on every cover. Therefore, after reading a book, to seek out ISKCON will be the default position.

And remember, there is no BTP, no TFO, no IRM, no PADA, because this is a ‘criticism-free’ world. So immediately we come to the crux of our dilemma. If ISKCON is deviating, you cannot promote it, nor can you ignore it, you have to FIX it.

Dear Pratyatosa Prabhu

Obeisances. All Glories to Srila Prabhupada

Srila Prabhupada once said “When I see that the book distribution is increasing more and more – I know that all our other programs are automatically going on very nicely”.

I apologize up front but I cannot agree with your proposal – “the book distributors should be encouraged to GO ON STRIKE UNTIL ISKCON IS FIXED!!! This is language that even the most boneheaded of the ISKCON leaders can understand. Hit them where it really hurts: their wallets!”

One simply cannot fathom the mercy one receives if he or she can find even one soul each day – who is willing to even only touch Srila Prabhupada’s books and then return it without interest. Srila Prabhupada told us this in Chicago in 1975 on a morning walk! So if even “touching” one of his books for a moment – can as he said “change their life forever” one can only imagine the benefit they attain by actually taking the book and reading it later!

If we simply train our focus upon increasing the “quantity” of books distributed – the “quality” of our service will gradually improve more and more. This focus is our samadhi. This distribution is formally established as the 7th Purpose of ISKCON and the very basis upon which our pursuit of the previous 6 Purposes of ISKCON is to be attained!

Withdrawing from this duty is not even hinted at by Srila Prabhupada in a single page of his books.Nor in the contents of a single letter. Likewise this suggested “solution” towards resolving any or all real or imagined problems was never exemplified by our Srila Prabhupada. His program was to ignore all “other” gurus (so-called) – and simply supply the real thing. And he lovingly engaged us all in assisting him with this. He did not “go on strike” with his Godbrothers. Like the Road Runner vs the Wily Coyote – he simply left them all in the dust! He sped off at warp speed, circled the globe some 14 times in 10 years and every time he made a “pit stop” he created another regiment of book distributors and their respective support teams. “Practically whipping them” from the Vysasana “Distribute Books! Distribute Books! Distribute Books! Then – while we were all trying to wrap our neophyte brains and emotions around what we had all just experienced for a week – he was off to the next “pit stop” – creating and enlivening the next cadre of “crazy for Guru and Krsna” men and women – and the whole process repeated itself. Oh the Joy of all that!!

You live in the Upper Penisnsula of Michigan of I am not mistaken. There are about 120,000 people living in some 16 to 20 essential towns. The place is filled with so many potential recipients of Srila Prabhupada’s books. No one there knows of – or cares a hoot for any of the internal “issues” that have manifested within ISKCON since Srila Prabhupada physically departed this world in 1977. They are each and everyone of them – a living spirit soul – with an eternal relationship with the Lord. Each of them is a candidate for reviving this relationship. Going on strike as you suggest – is in my opinion a miserly approach to what any problem that appears to show itself within the mission. Their individual problems are 4 – birth – death – disease and old age. By urging book distributors to go on strike – you are forcing the “innocents” to delay their own realization of and commitment to resolving the above mentioned 4 essential problems of life! What little association I received from Srila Prabhupada – is enough to convince me that were you are anyone to suggest such “inaction” as an solution to anything – he would not concur with you and would squash any effort to foment such a mundane initiative faster than the eyes seek sunlight!

In my humble opinion all problems will be resolved within Iskcon – by our simply pushing this one simple principle: increasing the quantity of Srila Prabhupada’s books distributed by a fixed # – year in and year out. Say 5 or 10% worldwide. If we do this – then because we are following the order of our Spiritual Master (in this regard) we will be mystically empowered with determination beyond our wildest dreams. All “other” issues will shrink down to nothing – and we will only remember and/or recount them as an historic “cautionary tale” that informs the future generations of devotees who take to the mercy of our Srila Prabhupada.

Sincerely

Praghosa

“All that I’m doing, Praghosa Prabhu, is agreeing with Gopal Bhatta Prabhu. That “business as usual” is out of the question until ISKCON is fixed. What exactly, in his open letter to Ramesvara Prabhu, is it that you disagree with?”

Simple answer? Nothing.

Reread my post. I said I disagree with YOU and your prescription for the fix being a call for a strike by the ISKCON book distributors.

I offered no disagreement with Gopal Bhatta in my post. Never mentioned him or his point.

I fully agree with his point. We cannot abandon ship – we simply need to fix a very tiny discrepancy – the reluctance to fully employ the terminology Srila Prabhuapda gave us to describe and define the roles of his official representative, i.e. GBC/TP/Ritvik Acharya etc.

Why you conclude otherwise? Why ask me what part of GB’s post I disagree with?
GB suggested all efforts should be made to repair what needs repair. He likewise insisted that no one should abandon ship in disgust – but that we roll up our sleeves and do the simple needful. I 100% agree with his simple simple simple affirmation. Spot on.

Now how to accomplish this? That will generate some discussion for sure.
And this is what seems to be happening here.

Praghosa

Gopal Bhatta Das says: Srila Prabhupada promotes ISKCON throughout his books…If ISKCON is deviating, you cannot promote it, nor can you ignore it, you have to FIX it.

Dear Gopal Bhatta Prabhu, PAMHO. AGTSP!

Thank you very much for your valuable comments.

But how do we “FIX ISKCON?” Many of the current pretender gurus are obviously very attached to their charades. They are obviously just pretending because real gurus do not fall down, and real gurus are not subject to the dictates of a “GBC.” So, let them continue pretending, but the GBC body itself should stop forcing all of ISKCON to live a lie (like they have been doing ever since early 1978).

Therefore, the GBC should:

1. Admit that they, as a body, ignored part of Srila Prabhupada’s 1970 DOM order (the part which states that TPs should vote devotees on and off of the GBC body).

2. Point out that Srila Prabhupada did not condemn them for this, and neither did a vast majority of the devotees.

3. Admit that they ignored Srila Prabhupada’s July 9, 1977 ritvik henceforward order, and beg the devotees to be merciful, to follow Srila Prabhupada’s example, and to not condemn them for this either.

4. Allow the current “gurus” to go on being “gurus.”

5. Not approve any new “gurus.”

6. Begin approving “ritvik representatives of the Acharya,” as Srila Prabhupada clearly prescribed in his July 9th letter.

7. Allow the “gurus” to request that their “guruship” positions be switched to ritviks, subject to GBC approval on an individual basis.

8. Allow the “gurus” to give up their “guruship” positions in exchange for a “golden parachute.” (Guaranteed retirement benefits for life.)

9. Order all TPs to, from now on, recommend qualified new bhaktas and bhaktins for initiation, and to request whichever ritvik is nearest to come and perform the ceremony.

In my humble opinion, if the above 9 points were actually carried out by the GBC body, it would satisfy most of the Ritviks and most of the ISKCONites as well.

Your servant, Pratyatosa Dasa

Dear Pratyatosa Prabhu

Obeisances. all glories to Srila Prabhupada

You write :

“Great! We finally got you to say the word, “ritvik.” I didn’t think you had it in you. :-)”

You seem a bit confused prabhu. and a bit dodgy as well.

I have employed this term in every instance of recorded comment from myself since way back in my first effort in 1995 between myself and HH TKG. The essay you cited in your original questions to myself (1999) found me doing the same. Same with my comments in 2005. I rely upon Srila Prabhupada’s own simple definition of the term: one who is singled out from amongst his happy servants and “selected, empowered and authorized” by him or his representatives – to act “on behalf of Srila Prabhupada” as guru and assume full responsibility in the matter of who can and cannot be accepted as a bonafide initiated disciple in Srila Prabhupada’s ISKCON mission.

This is the publicly recorded arrangement of Srila Prabhupada. Beginning with his conversations on May 27th and then the 28th – he informed us as to what he planned to do. Then – in June he did it and in July he informed us all what he did.

Once again – for no apparent reason you again try to slight me. This time with the above pithy nonsense:
“”Great! We finally got you to say the word, “ritvik.” I didn’t think you had it in you. :-)”

But it’s not “GBC/TP/Ritvik Acharya.” It’s “GBC/TP/Ritvik representative of the Acharya,” or simply “GBC/TP/Ritvik.” On May 28, 1977, when Tamal Krishna asked “Is that called ritvik-acharya?” Srila Prabhupada immediately corrected him and stated that the correct terminology is simply “ritvik.” 1½ months later, in his July 9, 1977 directive to all GBC men/temple presidents, Prabhupada further refined the terminology to “ritvik representative of the Acharya.” After that, he never again changed the terminology.

You again take liberties with what is said and give your meaning or interpretation to what is being said or was said by someone. In this case Srila Prabhupada.

He did not correct TKG when TKG asked “is that called ritivik acharya. He answered in the affirmative “Yes Ritivik”. He was not correcting. He was confirming. The word ritvik means empowered representative. TKG used term ritvik. Ritivik was not a word known to anyone at that time. There had been conversations on the subject initiated by Srila Prabhupada during that period and according to Gauri Das Pandit prabhu – this was the only reason TKG even knew of the term to ask about it.

ISKCON has ALWAYS worked with the only realistic system that could work within the context of a formal worldwide mission if it was to the sanctity and importance of its 7 (stated) Purposes: ie a system that insisted those acting on Srila Prabhupada’s behalf – as his agents – were sworn to his Oath of Allegiance and committed to working hand and glove with HIS Governing Body. This is the very essence of the true meaning of “ritivik representative” or “officiatiing acharya”. I will waste no more time haggling with you over the terms or how they are placed. Ritivik Representative does not mean Priest in the context of Srila Prabhupada’s arrangements. The priest is the one who lights the fire and performs the ceremony The Ritivik Acharya takes personal responsibility in determining the legitimacy of a man’s professed “sincerity”. He is authorized to chant upon the man’s beads FOR SRILA PRABHUPADA. He is responsible for eliciting this man’s commitment to reciting with reverence and affection – at least 16 rounds of the Lord’s Holy Name and to abide by the simple 4 proscriptions to which we are all familiar. He gives the initiate his new name. He himself – (many do not realize this) is held accountable to Srila Prabhupada – IF he – the ritvik acharya – fails to do all in his power to ensure the disicple’s LIFELONG commitment to these simple actions. He is doing all this on behalf of Srila Prabhupada. BUT HE – is doing that. His doing so – on behalf of Srila Prabhupada – does not mean he is not actually doing this. Anymore than a mother’s doing all she does – on behalf of the father – means actually the father is doing everything.

“For the book distributors to go on strike is just one possibility to motivate the GBC to finally come clean and start telling the truth. Another possibility would be for Ambarish Prabhu to temporarily stop giving any money. Another possibility is for the Supreme Court of India to get on their case.”

This is all mundane conception. As if who gains or loses money is or even should be factored in as a means to resolve this issue. Were that the case – then the 30 million and counting that has been already lost – would have long ago served to move people back to the correct and simple solution.

You have not distributed any books in years. So technically – you have been on the very strike you call for.
The BBT has botched things themselves. The GBC has botched that also. And most of us who were hard core book distributors – also got married and were forced to do other than full time daily direct book distribution. To me – in the end – this is all of us – in one way or the other – going on strike so to speak. The only real reason books were ever distributed in the mass quantities of that period – was because Srila Prabhupada wanted it to be done – and most of us in ISKCON at that time – took his desire as our own – and WANTED to do that. After he left us – each of us – in our own way – chose or were obliged – to do something else. We all essentially – went on strike. all that without any formal declaration of intent as you suggest. Now – how has the above mentioned “strike” worked out for us? For Iskcon? In resolving this tenaciously contentious “guru issue”? Ahh…. I believe we all have an answer or two for that one.

“For their own good, the GBC has got to realize that the truth always wins out in the end, and that the longer they delay the inevitable, the more that they are going to have to suffer. Do they want to do down in history as the biggest fools/rascals in the history of Vaisnavism, or what?”

As I said – the whole thing could be easily resolved within perhaps 1 Hour – if all parties at the table are honest and sincere. From the day Srila Prabhupada “selected” some men – to the exclusion of all other disciples – we have had the exact system he left us. There are now some 10-12 thousand men and women whose initiating ritivik acharya himself – either retired or fell away – and the bulk of these men and women – never saw it necessary to again search out another to RE- initiate them. Neither has any ISKCON leader of note – insisted that they must do this. Even some of ISKCON’S present GBC members fall within this category and no pressure I am aware of has been directed towards them for taking this position.

Why not stop with the subtle slights you keep tossing my way and initiate a direct discussion that can bring about full resolution to this ultimately simple problem?

Hari bol.

Praghosa das said”Neither has any ISKCON leader of note — insisted that they must do this. Even some of ISKCON’S present GBC members fall within this category and no pressure I am aware of has been directed towards them for taking this position. ”

NOT TRUE!!!

After the fall down of Probably Vishnu swami at the next gbc meeting in mayapur, jayapataka maharaja brought up this very thing, saying that his pvs’s disciples had to be re-initiated so that they could be connected to a “living guru” (as oppose to a dead one like Srila Prabhupada?????). So re-initiatintion may not be as openly promoted as in the past but behind closed doors it appears to be alive and well.

In regards to book dist. i’m of the same opinion as Gopal Bhatta. I’m very careful,very,very careful who I give a book to (unchanged of course). In the end more likely than not the recipient will go to a iskcon center and then become deceived and mislead(the old iskcon change up,remember?). Then more than likely, like GB, said they will then “bloop” and go away discouraged and burned out. I have seen it happen. One that I still see in the stores once in awhile has turned into a atheist!

I refuse to be part of this bait and switch game that the gbc/gurus/tp’s and iskcon is playing.

yhs,ofs.

Praghosa Das says: You write : “Great! We finally got you to say the word, “ritvik.” I didn’t think you had it in you. ” You seem a bit confused prabhu. and a bit dodgy as well. I have employed this term in every instance of recorded comment from myself since way back in my first effort in 1995 between myself and HH TKG. The essay you cited in your original questions to myself (1999) found me doing the same.

NOT TRUE!!!

1. In “the essay you cited in your original questions to myself” (early 1998, not 1999), you don’t use the word “ritvik” even once!

2. On this website, you never used the word “ritvik” even once until I pointed out to everyone, “But of course, since you want to continue to associate with members of ISKCON, you are not allowed to even say the word ‘ritvik! This is obviously because, according to those offensive ISKCON ritvik-bashers, who are actually far worse association than karmis, Srila Prabhupada’s own terminology is a dirty word! :-(’” (See: <http://www.prabhupadanugas.eu/news/?p=17316#comment-23718>) Then you accepted the “dare” and immediately used the word for the first time just to prove me wrong!

Gopal Bhatta Das says: Srila Prabhupada promotes ISKCON throughout his books…If ISKCON is deviating, you cannot promote it, nor can you ignore it, you have to FIX it.

In response to Gopal Bhatta Prabhu’s insightful remarks, I was inspired to write <http://www.prabhupadanugas.eu/news/?p=15435#comment-23841> above. This comment was then re-published twice under the title, “How to fix ISKCON in 9 easy steps,” the ensuing discussion of which might also be of interest:

https://groups.google.com/forum/#!topic/istagosthi/wgBBef2ePOk

http://www.prabhupadanugas.eu/news/?p=37784

You can download Aindra’s book for free from http://www.Krishnapath.org/aindras-book-the-heart-of-transcendental-book-distribution in both PDF ePub and the AudioBook

Aindra’s book ‘The Heart of Transcendental Book Distribution’ can be found here:

http://www.iskcon-truth.com/documents/The_Heart_of_Transcendental_Book_Distribution_Aindra.pdf